Minor Cereals Research Articles

Preliminary Evaluation of Minor Cereals as Non-Traditional Brewing Raw Materials

Recently, “minor” cereals have been gaining interest due to their distinctive characteristics, not only in terms of nutritional and health potential, but also because of their hardiness. To date, the use of several of these cereals for the production, both at artisan and industrial level, of foods such as pasta and bakery products has already been well established, whereas their investigation for the production of malt and beer has been more limited. In this work, a preliminary analysis of the malting aptitude of einkorn, tritordeum, food-grade sorghum and teff was evaluated. Grain quality parameters that influence the processes of malting and transformation into alcoholic beverages were evaluated, i.e., thousand-kernel weight, test weight, total protein and starch content, falling number, germination capacity, germination energy and amylase activity. Grain analyses showed, on average, satisfactory values for alcoholic fermented beverage production in all the cereal species examined (mainly in tritordeum), whereas the amylase activity of the malts produced was lower than that revealed in barley malt. Fermented drinks derived from these minor cereals, therefore, could be interesting for the light and gluten-free beer markets.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and millets: A sustainable solution for food security

Millets are grain crops of high agronomical importance in dry and semi-arid areas of the world. They are nutrient-rich minor cereals, resistant to pests, diseases, salt, heat, and drought stress. During the large-scale millet cultivation, farmers continue to deal with issues including poor soil fertility, scarce water supplies, climate change, and low production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are very useful microbes; they colonize plant roots and promote plant growth and development. Furthermore, they improve the plant yield through a variety of activities, such as secretion of plant hormones and secondary metabolites, solubilization of nutrients, nitrogen fixation, and providing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. In addition, PGPR increases the fresh weight, dry weight, root length, shoot length, chlorophyll content, proline content, and antioxidant activities, and decreases the malondialdehyde content as well as electrolyte leakage of millet seedlings. PGPR contributes to soil fertility by mineralizing organic matter, removing pollutants and pesticides, phytoextracting and detoxifying heavy metals, and mineralizing organic matter.

Increasing grain selenium concentration via genetic and agronomic innovations

AimsTo evaluate the potential to enhance grain Selenium (Se) concentration in wheat through agronomic innovation practices and exploitation of existing genetic variation.MethodsGrain samples from field experiments carried out as part of the EU projects Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE-CROPS), Healthy Minor Cereals (HMC) and Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) were analysed to identify the effects of wheat species/variety, fertiliser type and crop protection regime on grain yield, grain protein and selenium concentrations.ResultsFertiliser type significantly affected grain Se concentration. In the NUE-CROPS and QLIF trials the use of farm-yard manure (FYM) resulted in significantly higher grain Se concentration when compared with mineral fertiliser applied at the same N input level. Similarly, in the HMC trial, FYM and cattle slurry resulted in a significantly higher grain Se concentration compared with biogas digestate and mineral fertiliser. In the QLIF trials, organic crop protection resulted in significantly higher grain Se concentration when compared with conventional crop protection. The NUE-CROPS and HMC trials detected significant differences between varieties of both common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and spelt (T. spelta). Correlation analyses across the trials identified a negative correlation between yield and grain Se concentration for spelt and positive correlation between plant height and Se concentration for both species.ConclusionsHigher Se concentrations in the taller spelt varieties suggest that there is considerable potential to breed/select for high grain Se by exploiting traits/genetic variation present in older, traditional wheat species (e.g. spelt).

Breeding varieties and seed production chain of minor cereals in India: Status and strategies

Minor cereals such as barley and small millets contributed 1.13–1.73 and 1.95–2.78% to the total cereals production and acreage, respectively, during 2010–11 to 2020–21. The present study analyses the trends in area, production and yield (2010–11 to 2020–21); breeding varieties and seed production chain of minor cereals during 2010–11 to 2021–22. Barley acreage ranged between 7.0 lakh ha (2010–11, 2012–13) to 5.9 lakh ha (2019–20), registering a decline of 18.6%. Production showed an increase from 3.8% (2011–12) to 17.3% (2013–14) during this period except for 2015–16, when production declined by 7.9% over 2010–11. The changes in acreage, production and seed yield of finger millet during 2020–21 over 2010–11 were -11.0%, +3.6% and +1.1%, respectively. Other small millets (kodo millet, barnyard millet, foxtail millet, proso millet and little millet) showed declining pattern since 2010–11 in acreage from 8.0 lakh ha to 4.4 lakh ha during 2020–21, a reduction of about 45.0% and consequently decline in production by 21.5%. Nevertheless, seed yield/ha increased by 41.2% and reached 781 kg (2020–21) from 553 kg (2010–11). Of the 135 high yielding and climate resilient varieties developed during 2011–23, 107 were released and notified during 2016–22 and only 39 were inducted in to the seed production chain until 2021–22. Breeder and foundation seed production was always higher than the indent/demand during the period under analysis. Seed requirement of barley and small millets has also been worked out considering seed multiplication ratio, seed replacement rate (SRR) and highest acreage and suggested action plan to enhance production of these crops through seed/variety replacement.

The role of minor cereals in food and nutrition security in Bangladesh: constraints to sustainable production

The role of minor cereals in food and nutrition security in Bangladesh: constraints to sustainable production

Gluten-free bread enriched with whole-grain red sorghum flour gains favourable technological and functional properties and consumers acceptance

Sorghum is a gluten-free nutrient-dense minor cereal, rich in polyphenols and bioactive compounds of presumed functional and health benefits. This study examined the suitability of whole-grain red sorghum flour (WSF) in breadmaking in terms of its impact on the nutritional value, techno-functional properties, and sensory acceptance of the developed gluten-free bread (GFB). The WSF was incorporated into the GFB formula by replacing corn and potato starches (from 10 to 40%; w/w). The use of WSF contributed to a significant (p < 0.05) enrichment of GFB in proteins, dietary fibre, and phenolic compounds enhancing its antioxidant power (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC). WSF30% and WSF40% were characterised by improved technological parameters, in particular higher specific volume, and softer and better-coloured crumb than the control. Moreover, GFB containing a higher WSF percentage achieved better sensory acceptance of consumers. WSF30% was distinguished as a product of favourable nutritional and technological quality, sensory attractiveness, and antioxidant activity. This is a step forward to imparting functional properties and health-related benefits to GFB.

Modeling of the potential geographical distribution of naked oat under climate change.

Naked oat (Avena sativa L.), is an important miscellaneous grain crop in China, which is rich in protein, amino acids, fat and soluble dietary fiber. The demand for functional foods is gradually increasing as living standards rise, and the output of minor cereals in China is increasing annually. The planting layout of naked oat is scattered and lacks planning, which seriously restricts the development of the naked oat industry. The increase in miscellaneous grain production will not only be impacted by cultivation methods and management techniques, but the potential impact of global climate change needs to be considered. North China is the main area for naked oat production, worldwide. In this study, the potential distribution range of naked oat in North China was forecast based on historical distribution data and the Maxent model under climate change conditions. The performance of the model was relatively high. The results indicated that the most suitable area for the potential geographic distribution of naked oat in North China was 27.89×104 km2, including central and northeastern Shanxi, and northeastern and western Hebei and Beijing, gradually moving northward. The core suitable area increased, and the distribution of naked oat had an obvious regional response to climate warming; the main environmental factors affecting the potential geographic distribution were precipitation factor variables (precipitation seasonality (variation coefficient)), terrain factor variables (elevation) and temperature factor variables (temperature seasonality (Standard Deviation*100)). In this study, the Maxent model was used to analyze and predict suitable areas for naked oat in North China, and the distribution of suitable areas was accurately divided, and the main climatic factors affecting the distribution of naked oat were identified. This research provides data support and theoretical support for the optimal planting zone of naked oat in North China.

GENETIC AND CHEMICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGE RYE LEAF RUST (PUCCINIA RECONDITA F.SP. SECALIS) IN NATURAL CONDITIONS FROM MARGINAL AREAS

Pathogens and pests are predicted to spread to areas where they were previously irrelevant due to climate change and human-induced changes, posing new management issues for crops, especially in cropping systems based on minimal cereal crop diversification. In temperate areas of Central and Eastern Europe, rye (Secale cereale) is a minor cereal that contributes to crops diversification particularly in marginal situations where soil and climate are unfavorable for wheat production. During 2021-2022 growing season, a plant–pest-pathogen interaction profile was observed on four rye genotypes (Binnto, Inspector, Serafino, Suceveana) and also was observed the effect of different chemical and biological pesticide formulations on rye leaf rust in a randomized complete block design with three replications in dry area from Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dăbuleni in South of Romania. Among all evaluated rye genotypes the greatest resistance was noticed in Serafino that recorded the lowest AUDPC value (51,76), while the most susceptible was Suceveana genotype with AUDPC = 279,55. The best protection against leaf rust was provided by Poliversum (the 1st assessment – attack degree = 3,23%; the 2nd assessment – attack degree = 7,56%). Negative and significant correlation of leaf rust attack degrees with grain yield (r =-0,9393***) were found during 2021-2022 cropping season.

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterial Consoprtia as a Strategy Towards Crop Growth and Fitness of Little Millet (Panicum sumatranse L.)

Little millet, a minor cereal cultivated in semi-arid regions of India, is renowned for its nutraceutical properties. The endophytic plant growth-promoting bacterial (PGPB) communities help crop plants increase growth and health, endure stress tolerance, and enhance nutrient availability. Seed biotiztion with these endophytic PGPBs can facilitate the host plant to develop a defense against pathogens and challenging environments. Thus the present study aimed to biotize the little millet seeds (var. ATL1) with PGPBs, viz., Bacillus albus LRS2, Alcaligenes faecalis LSB6, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LAS10 and Bacillus velezensis LLB10 and to evaluate their efficiency by developing as a consortia of these isolates for improved plant growth and development. The seeds were biotized with all the strains individually and as consortia to evaluate their plant growth attributes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed significant differences in vegetative growth parameters and yield attributes compared with the control over consortia biotized seeds. During the panicle initiation stage (27 DAS), the shoot length (59.2, cm), root length (13.9 cm), total plant biomass (1.46 g), number of productive tillers plant-1 (5), panicle length (13.2 cm) and 1000 grain weight (5.12 g), grain yield plant-1 (28.45 g), straw yield (36.21 g) registered more in consortia biotized plants compared to non-biotized plant maintained as control. Thus, the present study confirmed that the inoculation of little millet seeds with the Consortia of indigenous strains could promote plant growth and productivity. Further, the Vol 110|10-12 inoculant can be recommended as a novel bio-inoculant for enhancing crop health and sustainable production in little millet.

A SERS aptasensor for rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 in coix seed using satellite structured Fe3O4@Au nanocomposites

Coix seed is a minor cereal that has been used as a functional food in the Chinese diet due to its high nutritional value and health effects. These claimed health benefits include antioxidation, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and enhancing immunological activity. But coix seed is easily contaminated by various mycotoxin, of which aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is one of major threat to human and animal health. For the sake of detecting AFB 1 more effectively, a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based aptasensor for rapid detection of AFB 1 in coix seed was developed. Fe 3 O 4 @Au nanoparticles (NPs) modified with aptamer which possess the ability of magnetic separation and excellent SERS activity were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscope. Ag NPs modified with 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and complementary DNA (cDNA) were employed as SERS tags. Controllable hot spots were built by the combination of Fe 3 O 4 @Au NPs and Ag NPs through AFB 1 aptamer and cDNA, and also by the interparticle nanogapped between the different size of Au NPs. Based on the principle of competitive binding between AFB 1 and cDNA for aptamer, the rapid quantitative detection of AFB 1 in coix seed was realized. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.0060 ng/mL, and a broad linear range between 0.01 and 100 ng/mL was achieved. The spiked recovery rates of coix seed sample were 98.2%–101.2%. The results demonstrated the promising potential of this aptasensor in rapid and effective detection of AFB 1 in foodstuffs. • A SERS aptasensor for the rapid detection of AFB 1 in coix seed was constructed. • Nanogapped Au NPs can provide a lot of controllable hot spots. • GMNPs modified with aptamer exhibited enrichment ability and excellent SERS activity.

The Effects of Processing Technologies on Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Properties of Pseudocereals and Minor Cereal

The Effects of Processing Technologies on Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Properties of Pseudocereals and Minor Cereal

Comparative assessment of nutritional and functional properties of different sorghum genotypes for ensuring nutritional security in dryland agro-ecosystem.

The cultivation of unique sorghum (resistant to abiotic stresses and re-recognized as healthy food) has attracted interest as an environmentally friendly minor cereal and may be a solution to food and nutritional security. However, information about how the use of selected sorghum grains affects nutritive values and its functional properties from sorghum flours is still lacking. To address this question, we selected six sorghum varieties (i.e., JinZa 34, LiaoZa 19, JinNuo 3, JiZa 127, JiNiang 2, and JiaXian) for the comprehensive analysis of the relationship among nutritional compositions, energy value contributions, and functional properties of sorghum grains. Results showed that Carr's index (CI) and angle of repose (AR) of all sorghum flours indicated good flow and compressibility properties in terms of micrometric parameters. All sorghums were considered free of tannin. Based on the scatterplot analysis, the proportions of energy contributions due to protein, fat, and carbohydrate (CHO), were highly positively correlated with protein, fat, and CHO, respectively. The significantly different flours of six sorghum varieties resulted in different functional properties. The amylose content showed a highly negative association with light transmittance and water and oil absorption capacities. In addition, amylose had a highly positive relationship with water solubility (WS) and swelling power (SP). JinNuo 3 had the highest nutritional compositions [proximate, mineral, anti-nutritional values, and amino acid (AA) profiles] and functional properties indicating that it could be used as a brewing liquor. Our findings will provide a new opportunity to cultivate sorghum as an environment friendly minor cereal crop in dryland agro-ecosystems of arid and semi-arid regions of northern China for nutritional security, agriculture processing, and non-food industry in the future.

Exploring the hydration promotion and cooking quality improvement of adlay seed by high hydrostatic pressure

Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf), a minor cereal, has long been consumed as both a food and a medicine. However, adlay seeds have a dense episperm and its tissue is hard, which makes water absorption difficult. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), as a non-thermal processing technology, enables batch hydration of grains in a short time. In this work, the hydration promotion and cooking quality improvement of adlay seeds by HHP (300–600 MPa) were investigated. Results showed that HHP pretreatment promoted seed hydration by inducing cracks in the seed cross-section and disrupting the cell wall and ventral groove structure. HHP pretreatment increased the proportion of intracellular water and unbound water in the cooked adlay seeds, facilitated water infiltration from the seed grooves and increased the hydration rate by creating a water gradient between the soak water and seeds. After applying HHP during soaking, the cooking time of adlay seeds was reduced, and the cooked adlay seeds were softer, brighter in color.

Improving Yield and Yield Stability in Winter Rye by Hybrid Breeding.

Rye is the only cross-pollinating small-grain cereal. The unique reproduction biology results in an exceptional complexity concerning genetic improvement of rye by breeding. Rye is a close relative of wheat and has a strong adaptation potential that refers to its mating system, making this overlooked cereal readily adjustable to a changing environment. Rye breeding addresses the emerging challenges of food security associated with climate change. The systematic identification, management, and use of its valuable natural diversity became a feasible option in outbreeding rye only following the establishment of hybrid breeding late in the 20th century. In this article, we review the most recent technological advances to improve yield and yield stability in winter rye. Based on recently released reference genome sequences, SMART breeding approaches are described to counterbalance undesired linkage drag effects of major restorer genes on grain yield. We present the development of gibberellin-sensitive semidwarf hybrids as a novel plant breeding innovation based on an approach that is different from current methods of increasing productivity in rye and wheat. Breeding of new rye cultivars with improved performance and resilience is indispensable for a renaissance of this healthy minor cereal as a homogeneous commodity with cultural relevance in Europe that allows for comparatively smooth but substantial complementation of wheat with rye-based diets, supporting the necessary restoration of the balance between human action and nature.

Recent advancements in the development of multigrain bread

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMultigrain bread is bread prepared from multiple flours of different cereals. This review aims to assess the technological and nutritional properties of multigrain doughs and bread and discuss challenges and opportunities.FindingIncreased consumer awareness of healthy nutrition urges the demand for beneficial health foods in the market. The primary aim of developing multigrain bread is to take care of the expanding demand for a healthy diet concerning the economy and exploit minor cereals. Multigrain bread includes grains such as wheat, rice, barley, oat, maize, rye, pseudocereals, and pulses and allows the development of products with enhanced nutritional profiles. Combining flours with differences in composition significantly affects the water absorption behavior and ultimately leads to a difference in dough handling and nutritional properties. Bread prepared from multigrain is nutritionally superior to 100% wheat‐based bread. Sometimes the development of multigrain products is a technological challenge as various grains are used, different in composition and nature, which affects the color, texture, and sensory attributes.ConclusionConsumer preference for multigrain bread increases due to its high nutritional profile and potential health benefits.

A Reappraisal of Polyploidy Events in Grasses (Poaceae) in a Rapidly Changing World.

Simple SummaryPolyploidy events have long been recognized as the primary driving force behind the survival of the vast majority of plant lineages, playing critical roles in crop evolution, speciation, and domestication. The fascinating modern genomics era has revealed that the genomes of all flowering plants have been polyploidized multiple times. To help safeguard the future of the global food supply in the face of climate change, a thorough understanding of polyploid genomes is critical, especially for the improvement of members of the grass family, Poaceae, which includes the world’s big three cereals—rice, wheat, and maize—as well as some potential underutilized ancient grasses (such as teff) that are less well known or studied. This is becoming easier with rapid advances in genomic technologies. However, there are critical knowledge gaps and research needs among the well-studied and less-studied Poaceae polyploids that must be addressed, particularly the characteristics of polyploids that might either complicate or facilitate crop improvement programs. This review discusses the potential role for the Poaceae family in providing insights into the significance and specific features of polyploid genomes, as well as the emerging challenges and prospects for furthering polyploidy understanding in crop improvement.Around 80% of megaflora species became extinct at the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary. Subsequent polyploidy events drove the survival of thousands of plant species and played a significant historical role in the development of the most successful modern cereal crops. However, current and rapid global temperature change poses an urgent threat to food crops worldwide, including the world’s big three cereals: rice, wheat, and maize, which are members of the grass family, Poaceae. Some minor cereals from the same family (such as teff) have grown in popularity in recent years, but there are important knowledge gaps regarding the similarities and differences between major and minor crops, including how polyploidy affects their biological processes under natural and (a)biotic stress conditions and thus the potential to harness polyploidization attributes for improving crop climate resilience. This review focuses on the impact of polyploidy events on the Poaceae family, which includes the world’s most important food sources, and discusses the past, present, and future of polyploidy research for major and minor crops. The increasing accessibility to genomes of grasses and their wild progenitors together with new tools and interdisciplinary research on polyploidy can support crop improvement for global food security in the face of climate change.

Evaluating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate and source on the performance of open‐pollinated rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars in contrasting European environments

AbstractRye (Secale cereale L.) is a minor cereal with potential to support sustainable farming practices. This study evaluated the performance of four old and modern European open‐pollinated winter rye cultivars grown with different nitrogen (N) sources (cattle slurry, farmyard manure, biogas digestate, mineral N) at two rates of N 50 and 100 kg ha−1 in the United Kingdom and Estonia, in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 growing seasons. Grain yield in Estonia was higher than the United Kingdom (6.2 vs. 4.8 t ha−1), which was attributed to a higher ear density (409.4 vs. 249.7 ears m−2) and grain number per ear (50.2 vs. 43.2), although 1,000‐grain weight was higher in the United Kingdom. There were clear differences between sites in the response to N source with significant N source × year interactions. Biogas digestate and mineral N produced higher grain yield than farmyard manure and cattle slurry in the United Kingdom, whereas in Estonia cattle slurry had a lower grain yield than the other N sources. Foliar diseases were absent in Estonia and in the United Kingdom, and N source only affected powdery mildew and leaf blotch on Leaf 2. The response of grain quality to N source and variety was consistent across both sites. The modern variety Elias had the highest Hagberg falling number and specific weight but the lowest protein content, whereas the variety Schlägler had the highest protein content but lowest specific weight. The benefits of selecting cultivars for specific environments are shown by the interactions between genotype and environment.

Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin Content in Korean Minor Cereals

Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin Content in Korean Minor Cereals

Determination Of Arsenic In Minor Cereals (Barley, Foxtail Millet, Proso-Millet, Finger- Millet, Pearl -Millet, Buckwheat. Oat, Quinoa And Sorghum) In Gazipur, Bangladesh

Cereal grains are the most important source of the world’s total food and also the major accumulator of toxic arsenic. Arsenic distributes in the environment via contaminated ground water which is used as drinking water and irrigated in the crop field. Chronic arsenic toxicity can be lethal for liver, kidney, bladder, lung, skin. Skin hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis are common exposure related phenotypes. Therefore, it's high time to produce ideal cereals that must contain a lower amount of arsenic and ensure safety for all kinds of lives. Ensuring safe food is one of the objectives of sustainable development goal-2 (SDG-2). With this view in mind, the Plant Breeding Division of BARI currently working with nine minor kinds of cereal included Barley, Foxtail millet, Proso-millet, Finger-millet, Pearl-millet, Buckwheat, Oat, Quinoa, and BARI-Sorghum 1 were undertaken for biochemical analysis of arsenic on their leaves. The biochemical analysis of these nine kinds of minor cerealsshowed negligible amount of arsenic on leaves. Further analysis in other location in Bangladesh might bring the overall picture of arsenic uptake in minor cereals.

"Determination of Arsenic in Minor Cereals (Barley, Foxtail Millet, Proso-Millet, Finger- Millet, Pearl -Millet, Buckwheat, Oat, Quinoa and Sorghum) in Gazipur, Bangladesh"

"Determination of Arsenic in Minor Cereals (Barley, Foxtail Millet, Proso-Millet, Finger- Millet, Pearl -Millet, Buckwheat, Oat, Quinoa and Sorghum) in Gazipur, Bangladesh"